Remembering the Rockets' back-to-back titles

March 6, 2014 4:53 PM

The mid-1990s were clearly the glory days for the Rockets and they have two NBA championship banners to show for it.

The mid-1990s were clearly the glory days for the Rockets and they have two NBA championship banners to show for it.

Photo: Chronicle File Photo

The mid-1990s were clearly the glory days for the Rockets and they... Photo-4571422.61648 - Houston Chronicle

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After posting a 58-24 record in the regular season, the Rockets knocked off the Trail Blazers, Suns and Jazz en route to facing the Knicks in the 1994 NBA Finals. The series featured a matchup of superstar seven-footers -- Hakeem Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing. The first two games of the series were played at The Summit. less

After posting a 58-24 record in the regular season, the Rockets knocked off the Trail Blazers, Suns and Jazz en route to facing the Knicks in the 1994 NBA Finals. The series featured a matchup of superstar ... more

Photo: Chronicle File Photo

After posting a 58-24 record in the regular season, the Rockets... Photo-4571431.61648 - Houston Chronicle

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Rookie point guard Sam Cassell emerged as the series shifted from Houston to New York for games 3, 4 and 5.

Rookie point guard Sam Cassell emerged as the series shifted from Houston to New York for games 3, 4 and 5.

After falling behind in New York, the Rockets had to win games 6 and 7 to take the series. No team scored more than 93 points in any game of this series as two of the best defenders of all time were on the court in Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon. less

After falling behind in New York, the Rockets had to win games 6 and 7 to take the series. No team scored more than 93 points in any game of this series as two of the best defenders of all time were on the ... more

Photo: Kerwin Plevka, Chronicle

After falling behind in New York, the Rockets had to win games 6... Photo-4571434.61648 - Houston Chronicle

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Rockets fans file into the Astrodome for a rally to celebrate the team's first NBA title.

Rockets fans file into the Astrodome for a rally to celebrate the team's first NBA title.

Photo: Chronicle File Photo

Rockets fans file into the Astrodome for a rally to celebrate the... Photo-4571435.61648 - Houston Chronicle

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In your face: The Dream dunks on Patrick Ewing during the Game 6 win.

In your face: The Dream dunks on Patrick Ewing during the Game 6 win.

Photo: Chronicle File Photo

In your face: The Dream dunks on Patrick Ewing during the Game 6 win. Photo-4571436.61648 - Houston Chronicle

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Hakeem Olajuwon blocks a last-second shot by Knicks guard John Starks in Game 6. In Game 7, Starks went 2-for-18 from the field as the Rockets captured their first NBA title.

Hakeem Olajuwon blocks a last-second shot by Knicks guard John Starks in Game 6. In Game 7, Starks went 2-for-18 from the field as the Rockets captured their first NBA title.

The Utah Jazz had the 1994-95 Rockets on the ropes, ready to knock out the Rockets in Game 4, but Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon both went off for 40 points to keep the series alive. The Rockets then went to Salt Lake to close out the Jazz in Game 5. less

The Utah Jazz had the 1994-95 Rockets on the ropes, ready to knock out the Rockets in Game 4, but Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon both went off for 40 points to keep the series alive. The Rockets then went to ... more

Photo: Steve Wilson, Associated Press

The Utah Jazz had the 1994-95 Rockets on the ropes, ready to knock... Photo-4571446.61648 - Houston Chronicle

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The Rockets knocked the Suns out of the playoffs in each of their championship-winning seasons, and both series went to seven games. There were many hard-fought wins in these games, including one overtime game each year. less

The Rockets knocked the Suns out of the playoffs in each of their championship-winning seasons, and both series went to seven games. There were many hard-fought wins in these games, including one overtime game ... more

Photo: Paul S. Howell, Chronicle

The Rockets knocked the Suns out of the playoffs in each of their... Photo-4571447.61648 - Houston Chronicle

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Mario Elie (Junkyard Dog) was notorious for knocking down the clutch 3-pointer. The most infamous being in Game 7 against the Suns in the 1995 Western Conference semis with just over seven seconds left. After draining the three he turned to the Suns' bench and blew them the deadly kiss. less

Mario Elie (Junkyard Dog) was notorious for knocking down the clutch 3-pointer. The most infamous being in Game 7 against the Suns in the 1995 Western Conference semis with just over seven seconds left. After ... more

The Rockets knocked the Spurs out in six games in the 1995 Western Conference finals. Hakeem Olajuwon was a monster against David Robinson, averaging 33 points, 10 boards and nearly 3 blocks per game.

The Rockets knocked the Spurs out in six games in the 1995 Western Conference finals. Hakeem Olajuwon was a monster against David Robinson, averaging 33 points, 10 boards and nearly 3 blocks per game.

Photo: Howard Castleberry, Chronicle

The Rockets knocked the Spurs out in six games in the 1995 Western... Photo-4571449.61648 - Houston Chronicle

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Hakeem Olajuwon took it to Shaq (in his third season) in the 1995 NBA Finals, sweeping the Magic in four games. It is noteworthy to point out the Magic lost in OT by 2 in Game 1, by 11 in regulation in Game 2, by 3 in regulation in Game 3 and by 12 in regulation to close out the series. less

Hakeem Olajuwon took it to Shaq (in his third season) in the 1995 NBA Finals, sweeping the Magic in four games. It is noteworthy to point out the Magic lost in OT by 2 in Game 1, by 11 in regulation in Game 2, ... more

Photo: ELAINE THOMPSON, Associated Press

Hakeem Olajuwon took it to Shaq (in his third season) in the 1995... Photo-4571450.61648 - Houston Chronicle

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In Game 1, Kenny Smith hit a then-Finals record seven 3-pointers as the Rockets prevailed in overtime.

In Game 1, Kenny Smith hit a then-Finals record seven 3-pointers as the Rockets prevailed in overtime.

Shaquille O'Neal's playoff stats weren't too shabby as he posted over 25 points, nearly 11 boards and almost 2 blocks per game in the 1995 NBA Playoffs when he met the Rockets in the Finals. Oh yeah, he also shot 57.7% from the field, .6% better than his 57.1% from the free throw line. less

Shaquille O'Neal's playoff stats weren't too shabby as he posted over 25 points, nearly 11 boards and almost 2 blocks per game in the 1995 NBA Playoffs when he met the Rockets in the Finals. Oh yeah, he also ... more

Robert Horry is a household name in Houston thanks to his deep range on the basketball court. Horry was as cold-blooded as it gets even though he was in his second and third years in the league when the Rockets went back-to-back. He would go on to win seven NBA titles during his 16-year career. less

Robert Horry is a household name in Houston thanks to his deep range on the basketball court. Horry was as cold-blooded as it gets even though he was in his second and third years in the league when the Rockets ... more

Photo: Howard Castleberry, Chronicle

Robert Horry is a household name in Houston thanks to his deep... Photo-4571453.61648 - Houston Chronicle

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Thanks to a four-game sweep of the Magic, the Rockets claimed the second of their back-to-back titles against Shaq and Penny Hardaway. Once again, they won the title in front of the home fans.

Thanks to a four-game sweep of the Magic, the Rockets claimed the second of their back-to-back titles against Shaq and Penny Hardaway. Once again, they won the title in front of the home fans.

Photo: Christobal Perez, Chronicle

Thanks to a four-game sweep of the Magic, the Rockets claimed the... Photo-4571454.61648 - Houston Chronicle

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Riding atop a firetruck down Jefferson Street, Hakeem Olajuwon and his daughter, Abisola, celebrate the team's second straight title.

Riding atop a firetruck down Jefferson Street, Hakeem Olajuwon and his daughter, Abisola, celebrate the team's second straight title.